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Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. MDC has developed the State Record Fish Program to acknowledge and honor anglers who have caught the largest recorded fish from a list of recognized species found in Missouri waters.
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
Title
State Record Fish Program Rules
Body
- To qualify, the applicant’s fish must:
- be captured by legal methods from Missouri waters, by the holder of a valid permit or proof of exemption.
- be a species included on the Missouri State Record Fish list.
- meet or exceed the current record.
- New open records must meet or exceed the Master Angler Award minimum weight for that species to be considered.
- Anglers may be recognized in two different categories: “pole and line” or “alternative methods” (this includes trotlines, throwlines, limblines, banklines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, bow, crossbow or atlatl).
- Fish must be weighed on a certified scale in the presence of an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- The entry must be examined by a Missouri Department of Conservation staff member familiar with the genus. Contact any Department office, or if after business hours, the local conservation agent. If a positive identification cannot be made with certainty, the assistance of a designated fish identification expert must be sought. Call a Department Regional Office to be connected with the nearest identification expert. The Department reserves the right to consult additional biologists to confirm the identity of the species.
- Potential record fish may be frozen while awaiting identification but must be thawed for weighing. Fish should not be mounted or consumed prior to receiving the results of the entry form review and certification.
- Genetic testing, for positive identification, and x-raying for weight authentication, will be performed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, when necessary, for positive identification at no cost to the applicant.
- A photo of the fish is required, with views showing areas key to identification preferred, as well as a photo of the person with the fish.
Title
Think you have a record?
Link or File
Media
State Record Fish Entry Form262.12 KB
Description
State Record Fish Entry Form
Link
Latest State Record Fish
Bass: Hybrid Striped - Alternative Method: Jug line
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
9 lbs.
oz.
1 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake of the Ozarks
Date
10/31/2016
Angler
Mark McArtor
Hometown
Camdenton, MO
Bass: Hybrid Striped - Pole and line
Image
Credit
MDC Staff
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
21 lbs.
oz.
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake of the Ozarks
Date
05/19/2019
Angler
Cesar Rodriguez
Hometown
Carthage, MO
Bass: Largemouth - Alternative Method: Trotline
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
9 lbs.
oz.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Katonka Lake
Date
04/28/2012
Angler
Dylan Gilmore
Hometown
Perry, MO
Bass: Largemouth - Pole and line
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
13 lbs.
oz.
14 oz.
Lake or Stream
Bull Shoals Lake
Date
04/21/1961
Angler
Marvin Russell Bushong
Hometown
Gainesville, MO
Bass: Smallmouth - Alternative Method: Jug line
Bass: Smallmouth - Pole and line
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
7 lbs.
oz.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Stockton Lake
Date
12/18/1994
Angler
Kevin S. Clingan
Hometown
Springfield, MO
Bass: Spotted - Alternative Method: Jug line
Classifications
Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
2 lbs.
oz.
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Truman Reservoir
Date
05/11/2016
Angler
Jason Reynolds
Hometown
Warsaw, MO
Bass: Spotted - Pole and line
Bass: Striped - Alternative Method: Jug line
Bass: Striped - Pole and line
Image
Credit
Unknown
Right to Use
Image
Weight
lbs.
65 lbs.
oz.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Bull Shoals Lake
Date
05/21/2015
Angler
Lawrence E. Dillman
Hometown
Rockaway Beach, MO